summer

Here’s to summer garden fun! We’re making the transition to warmer weather with some intermittent rainfall and lots of good energy in the garden. Here are our top priorities this month, including what to plant, how to adjust watering, what to watch out for, and how to keep plant roots cool and happy.

1. Plant Summer-Loving Plants!

So many of our favorite plants for South Texas don’t just tolerate warm weather, they only begin to thrive and look their best in the summer. Think of blooming perennials like Firebush, Esperanza, and Pride of Barbados for awesome summer impact. Think of big purslane hanging baskets, Gomphrena, and Periwinkles for bursts of bright color. And browse our Texas native plant section for plants and trees that have thrived through hundreds and even thousands of Texas summers. If you’re still wanting to plant food, you can do that too – okra, basil, thyme, watermelon, peppers, black-eyed peas and more should be planted in June.

2. Keep Roots Cool with Mulch

A good mulch layer (2-3″ deep) has so many benefits. It looks amazing, keeps weeds down, helps retain moisture, adds organic matter to the soil, AND keeps plant roots nice and cool in the summer. Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories shared amazing results with us from a mulch study they conducted in San Antonio. Soil temperatures were measured at 6″ deep (where plant roots live) on a 105 F summer day. Bare soil, 6″ down was 102 F. Soil under grass was 92 F. Soil beneath a 3″ layer of mulch was only 76 F!! Mulch for the win!

3. Water Low & Slow

We’re not talking about BBQ, although that sounds good too… We’re talking about watering low, as in as in low to the ground to avoid evaporation, and slow as in not with your hose open full-blast. This helps decrease runoff and get more water down to the roots. Consider setting up your own automatic drip irrigation system – they’re easy to DIY and they operate on the low & slow principle. Also, be sure to use the cycle & soak method, which simply means water once, let it soak in for several minutes, then come back and water again. This makes sure you’re pushing water down deep.

Pro tip: Use a moisture meter in your landscape beds and pots! We carry them for around $10 and can show you how easy they are to use. They have a long soil probe that tells you whether you actually have good moisture (or too much) down deep where it’s needed. They’ve saved many plants!

4. Watch for Summer Bugs, Critters, and Plant Disease

Yes, bad bugs will be around more during the Summer, but don’t treat unless there’s significant damage. We can help identify the pest and if/how to treat. You don’t want to kill too many good bugs while trying to take care of the bad bugs! If you see brown areas in the lawn that are easily pulled up, it’s usually a sign of grubs eating the roots of your grass. You can control grubs with Bonide Insect and Grub Control. Chinch bugs love hot dry areas in lawns. They make the lawn look dried out along sidewalks and pavement. Spot-treat those areas with Cyonara in easy ready-to-spray bottles. For organic control, use Spinosad or Diatomaceous Earth. We’ve also seen a lot more caterpillars than usual this spring. They’re commonly found munching on veggie gardens, but this year we’ve seen them on Gomphrena and Dichondra! Check out these big Sweet Potato Hornworms that Jesse found eating his Dichondra at night! Not too common to see, but it makes sense since dichondra is in the sweet potato family. Just a few caterpillars can be relocated, but if you have a lot destroying your plants, treat with organic Bt in liquid spray or powder form.

5. Garden In Style Indoors with New Houseplants

We just restocked the greenhouse with all kinds of unique and classic houseplants looking for their forever homes! Time to work on your collection! We can help you determine the best houseplants for different areas and different lighting in your home. Once again – invest in a moisture meter for your houseplants, too. In our experience, the main cause of houseplant death is too much love aka too much water. Keep in mind that houseplants can also be sensitive to chemicals in treated tap water. We use as much A/C condensate, rainwater, and water from our dehumidifier as we can to water houseplants and keep them looking their best here at Gill’s.

Happy National Pollinator Week! Gardeners know that planting to support and protect pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and good bugs creates a healthy local ecosystem. And pollinators return the favor by making our gardens and landscapes so much more beautiful with healthier plants and more blooms. Here are our top 11 summer-tough plants to create a pollinator-friendly habitat in your yard – in stock at Gill’s and ready to plant now!

Firebush (Hamelia patens)

Pollinators: Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees
Why We Love It: Bright orange-red blooms all summer long!
Planting Tip: Loves full sun. Foliage dies back in winter. Cut back hard in early spring and it grows back very fast.

Purslane

Pollinators: Native bees and small butterflies
Why We Love It: A low-growing, drought-tolerant succulent with vivid blooms in lots of different colors. And Purslane is edible! High in omega-3s and minerals.
Planting Tip: Tuck it into hanging baskets, borders, or between rocks—just give it sunshine and dry feet.

Esperanza – all varieties

Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Why We Love It: Comes in several different varieties from the tidy, dwarf ‘Sparklette’ with orange blooms to the large ‘Yellow Bells’ with bright yellow blooms.
Planting Tip: Full sun and low water needs. Plant in your sunniest spots.

Texas Native Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Pollinators: Monarchs (host plant!), bees, and other butterflies
Why We Love It: Orange or yellow blooming varieties + life support for monarch caterpillars = must-have native!
Planting Tip: Full sun, well-drained soil, and very little water—this one likes it tough.

Gregg’s Mistflower

Pollinators: Queen butterflies, monarchs, skippers, bees
Why We Love It: Soft lavender puffs that butterflies go wild for.
Planting Tip: Likes part sun to full sun and moderate moisture. Give it some space—it spreads!

Texas Sage (all varieties)

Pollinators: Bees and butterflies
Why We Love It: Lavender blooms that pop before and after rain, and it’s practically unkillable.
Planting Tip: Plant in your hottest, sunniest spots and avoid overwatering.

Firecracker Plant (Russelia)

Pollinators: Hummingbirds and butterflies
Why We Love It: Cascading coral-red blooms that hummingbirds can’t resist.
Planting Tip: Likes moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Looks stunning in containers or hanging over walls.

Pride of Barbados aka Dwarf Poinciana

Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Why We Love It: Tropical drama with vivid red-orange blooms and feathery foliage.
Planting Tip: Needs full sun, good drainage, and a little patience in spring—it doesn’t start to perform until temps reach 90!

Texas Native Flame Acanthus

Pollinators: Hummingbirds and bees
Why We Love It: Red tubular flowers that keep hummingbirds zipping around all summer.
Planting Tip: Drought-tolerant and easy-going—cut back in winter and it bounces back fast

Salvia Mystic Spires

Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Why We Love It: Spiky deep blue blooms and non-stop action from all pollinators. Our best-performing blue salvia for South TX.
Planting Tip: Plant in full sun and deadhead for more blooms.

Texas Native Frogfruit

Pollinators: Butterflies (especially Phaon Crescent), bees, and skippers
Why We Love It: A native groundcover with charming flowers and big ecological value.
Planting Tip: Use as a living mulch or lawn alternative. Thrives almost anywhere – sun or shade and spreads quickly.

We like to think of small, ornamental trees as anchors and focal points in the landscape. They provide balance and give us structure to design other beds and landscape features around. So, we want them to perform! Choose these native trees and you get tons of blooms for pollinators, very low water use, very few problems with pests, and great longevity. No need to worry about a freeze with any of these. Plus, these trees don’t just survive our summers—they show off in them. We feel lucky to have all these natives in stock at Gill’s right now – come check ’em out!

🌸 **Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)**

Why you’ll love it: A compact beauty with delicate white or pink orchid-like blooms in spring.
Pollinators: Butterflies and native bees are frequent guests—especially swallowtails and hairstreaks.
Growing tips: Needs good drainage and full sun. Bounces back quickly after cold winters.

🌼 **Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)**

Why you’ll love it: Large trumpet-shaped blooms in pinks and purples, blooming on and off all summer.
Pollinators: Hummingbirds can’t resist it. Bees and large butterflies like monarchs and Gulf fritillaries show up too.
Growing tips: Loves heat, sun, and dry soil. If planting in heavy clay soil, it’s a good idea to mound up and plant high. Can be pruned as a tree or left shrub-like.

💛 **Retama (Parkinsonia aculeata)**

Why you’ll love it: Elegant open form, green bark, and brilliant yellow blooms from spring to fall.
Pollinators: Butterflies, especially sulphurs, and small bees crowd the flowers.
Growing tips: Full sun, fast-growing, and extremely drought-hardy. Just keep in mind—it does have thorns!

🌿 **Arroyo Sweetwood (Myrospermum sousanum)**

Why you’ll love it: A graceful small tree with shiny foliage and dainty white blooms with a honey-like fragrance.
Pollinators: Honeybees and native bees buzz all over this tree when it flowers.
Growing tips: Needs sun and good drainage. Works beautifully in wild naturalistic or low-water landscapes.

🖤 **Eve’s Necklace (Styphnolobium affine)**

Why you’ll love it: Pink wisteria-like blooms in spring followed by shiny black seed pods that look like beads.
Pollinators: Butterflies and small bees are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms.
Growing tips: Grows about 15 feet tall, tolerates sun to part shade, and adds great texture in the landscape.

🌿 Texas **Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana)**

Why you’ll love it: This small, airy tree erupts in fragrant white flower spikes in spring and after summer rains.
Pollinators: Bees love this one—especially native solitary bees and honeybees.
Growing tips: Full sun to part shade, and does fine in our clay or sandy soil types. Grows up to about 12 feet and is very low-maintenance. Very easy to prune and shape to your liking.

We find growers who grow the best plants. If plants we source are not Gill quality when they arrive here, we send them back! We have long-standing relationships with our suppliers and they know we expect the best. Through our network of awesome growers in Texas, Florida, and California, we can find most plants most of the time, but sometimes there are plants our customers need that are not available on the market. So, we’re taking matters into our own hands – just for a few things! This spring, we got a new license to grow some of our own plants here at Gill’s, and Ori and Wyatt set up our first-ever grow house! Here’s what they’ve been up to.

For our growing projects, we use the same tried and true products that we sell and recommend to customers. Most of our babies were started using Southern Exposure Seed, a seed company we love that carries lots of unique varieties. For most seeds, we start by soaking them in a mixture of water and Liquid Seaweed to encourage good germination. Then we plant the seeds in small seedling containers using our Ultimate Potting Soil by Ferti-lome. After they sprout and grow a bit, we move them into larger pots with a 50/50 blend of Ultimate Potting Soil and our all-purpose potting soil from Landscaper’s Pride, plus a little Bio-tone starter fertilizer. Once they really get growing, we use Medina Growin Green granules and Medina Super Gro liquid to keep feeding them. All organic!

Right now we’ve got Burmese and Hill Country Red okra, Hale’s Best cantaloupe, Moon & Stars watermelon, Rosita eggplant, Amethyst basil, and more that will all be ready in the next few weeks. And we’re experimenting with growing native Zizotes milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides), which is proving to be a challenge! Once the plants are nicely rooted and we can be confident that they’ll perform well for customers, we put them out for sale here in the garden center. Some of you have already taken home our 1gal Thai Red Roselle hibiscus and 4in Holy basil!

Does this mean we plan to start growing a lot more plants?? Nope! We plan to grow interesting varieties that we can’t find anywhere else, as well as a few key plants (like geraniums) that we need more of at specific times. If there’s something you’d like for us to try growing, let us know! We won’t be able to accommodate every request, but some we might!

How is 2025 halfway over already?! We hope you’re having lots of fun this summer – holidays, BBQs, weekend trips, and garden projects! Here are our top must-do’s to keep your plants healthy and happy in July, including tips for planting, watering, and summer pests to watch out for.

1. Yes, You Can Plant in the Summer!

Myth: I’ve heard that you can’t plant in the summer because its too hot… FACT: Of course you can!! You can plant just about anything in our summers, including trees, as long as you have a good plan for watering. In fact, summer is a great time to plant crape myrtles because they’re blooming and you get choose the color IRL! While we’re past the season for spring veggies like tomatoes, there are still plenty of summer veggies like okra, peppers, eggplant, and melons to plant now. If you want your own fresh pumpkins for Halloween, start ’em in July. Plus, now’s a great time to set table for the fall hummingbird migration with their fav blooming perennials like Firebush, Firecracker plant (pictured), native flame Acanthus, and Dicliptera aka Hummingbird Bush. Don’t let any myths discourage your summer gardening!

2. Watering: Think Depth, Not Frequency

Proper hydration happens when you get water down to the roots of the plant. This means watering deeply, not more frequently. The key for watering plants, lawns, and trees is long, slow, deep drinks! Encourage those roots to dive deeper for water. Even with recent summer rains (yay!!), continue to watch your watering and maintain that depth moisture. If you notice this summer that you’re having to water your potted plants a lot more often, it could be time to re-pot. As the pot fills up with roots, you end up with less soil and therefore less moisture retention. Obviously we have a lot of potted plants here at Gill’s. We just added several more large rainwater collection tanks to help reduce our dependence on City water. And boy do the plants love rainwater! If you’re interested in a rainwater collection system, Gill’s landscape team can design and install at your home.

3. Mulch to Keep Roots Cool

Another way to save water is to keep landscape beds and gardens mulched through the summer. Studies show that a good 3″ layer of mulch will keep your plant roots more than 20 degrees cooler! Not only that, a good mulch layer also helps retain moisture AND keeps weeds at bay. Healthy plants, less watering, and fewer weeds – that’s a win/win/win! It’s important to use natural wood or pine straw mulch that breaks down over time. As it breaks down, it adds nutrients and makes your soil more workable. Keep in mind, mulch is also a great placeholder. If you have areas that you plan to plant later, keep them mulched to keep weeds out and keep your soil healthy and ready to plant when you are.

4. Watch for More Bugs in Summer

Not all bugs are bad, so it’s important to know your bugs before you spray anything, even organics. A few bugs here and there is most likely not cause for alarm. If you do get an infestation, cut the plant back first, give it some fertilizer, then treat for bugs. By pruning first, you won’t have to treat every leaf on the whole plant. We see plants come back better than ever using this method. If you’re not sure about bugs or pruning, we’re here to help. During summer, watch out for mealybugs on plants like Hibiscus and Turk’s Cap, lacebugs on Lantana, and chinch bugs in the lawn – especially near sidewalks and driveways! We’ve got solutions for all of the above.

5. Summer Vacays? Train Your Plant Sitter!

Be sure to have a trusted plant-sitter come water your plants while you’re away on summer excursions! It’s a good idea to spend a little time showing them how you water. Make them a list, draw them a map, and walk them through it. You know your plants and which ones get tired and thirsty the fastest. We might even be able to help connect you with a trusted plant sitter…

6. Collect Cool New Houseplants

Now’s a great time of year to work on your houseplant jungle. The greenhouse is restocked with all kinds of interesting houseplant choices, including lots of new Bromeliad and Philodendron varieties, like this fernleaf philodendron aka Philodendron tortum which looks like a small palm! Keep in mind that constant A/C indoors will dry out plants. Keep an eye on watering (use a moisture meter) and don’t place houseplants near an A/C vent. You might also try experimenting with a humidifier near your plants to help regulate moisture.

Turns out there is a cure for the summertime blues…blue flowers! In the heat of summer, blue-blooming plants bring a cool, calming vibe to any garden. Whether you’re designing a soft cottage garden, a pollinator paradise, or a bold tropical nook, adding blue-blooming plants will make your landscape hum with beauty—and beneficial bees! Here are 5 of our favorite true blue bloomers for summer and beyond.

1. Blue Pea Vine (Clitoria ternatea)

Also called Butterfly Pea vine, this twining vine is a tropical beauty that flaunts vivid indigo blooms shaped like — you guessed, butterflies! Fast-growing and great for trellises or fences, it’s a showstopper that also happens to be edible (hello, blue tea!).

Growing Tips:

Loves heat, sun, and well-drained soil. If planting in heavy clay soil, be sure to amend the soil with compost and plant high for better drainage.
Water regularly but don’t overdo it — this vine is drought-tolerant once established.
Dies back in frost but returns in spring.

Design Tip: Let it scramble over a white trellis or arbor for a bold blue-and-white contrast. Add it near seating areas — it’s a conversation starter.

2. Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)

This low-growing groundcover shines in the sun with blue blooms that practically glow against its silvery-green leaves. It’s perfect for spilling over borders, hanging baskets, or softening rock edges.

Growing Tips:

Full sun is best — partial shade means fewer flowers.
Tolerates heat and poor soil, but hates wet feet. Avoid over-watering.
Trim lightly to encourage denser growth.

Design Tip: Plant at the edge of garden beds or containers for a “blue waterfall” effect. Pairs beautifully with golden foliage or terra cotta pots.

3. Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

An old Southern favorite, plumbago is a sprawling shrub with clusters of pale blue, almost periwinkle flowers. It’s a butterfly magnet and a long-bloomer from spring through fall. Hydrangeas don’t do well in our area, but Plumbago is a lovely substitute.

Growing Tips:

Likes full sun but can tolerate part shade.
Regular watering keeps it lush, but it’s tough enough to survive drought.
Can get leggy — prune occasionally for neatness while allowing a natural form.

Design Tip: Use as a loose hedge or backdrop plant. Its softness balances spikier plants like salvia. Bonus: It can double as a trailing spiller in large containers!

4. Henry Duelberg Salvia (Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’)

This Texas native brings bold dusty-blue spires and unbeatable drought resistance. It’s also a pollinator buffet, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Growing Tips:

Full sun is best, though it tolerates light shade.
Deadhead for more blooms, and cut back mid-summer to refresh.
Deer-resistant and super hardy.

Design Tip: Plant in groups for an intense pop of vertical color. Pairs well with yellows, oranges, or soft grasses for contrast.

5. Mystic Spires Salvia (Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’)

The more compact and bushier cousin of Henry Duelberg salvia, this hybrid salvia blooms in rich, deep blue-purple all summer long. Great for borders, containers, and butterfly gardens. This might be the best-performing salvia variety for South Texas. We’ve planted thousands over the years!

Growing Tips:

Prefers full sun and moderate watering.
Trim back after the first flush of blooms to keep it tidy and reblooming.
Fertilize lightly with granular Medina Growin Green once a month, followed by Hasta Gro liquid every 2 weeks for incredible results.

Design Tip: This salvia adds rich color without towering over neighbors. Try it in pots flanking your porch or mixed in sunny perennial beds.

More Design Tips: Making the Blues Sing

Think in layers: Use taller salvias or climbing pea vine in the back, medium-height plumbago in the middle, and low-growing blue daze in the front.
Play with color combos: Pair your blues with silver foliage (like dusty miller or artemisia) and warm hues (like coral or yellow) for a dynamic palette.
Use repetition: Repeat blue plants throughout your space to create rhythm and cohesion.
Night garden magic: Blue flowers glow at dusk—perfect for gardens you enjoy in the evening.

summer

1. Plant Summer-Loving Plants!

2. Keep Roots Cool with Mulch

3. Water Low & Slow

4. Watch for Summer Bugs, Critters, and Plant Disease

5. Garden In Style Indoors with New Houseplants

Firebush (Hamelia patens)

Purslane

Esperanza – all varieties

Texas Native Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Gregg’s Mistflower

Texas Sage (all varieties)

Firecracker Plant (Russelia)

Pride of Barbados aka Dwarf Poinciana

Texas Native Flame Acanthus

Salvia Mystic Spires

Texas Native Frogfruit

🌸 Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)

🌼 Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)

💛 Retama (Parkinsonia aculeata)

🌿 Arroyo Sweetwood (Myrospermum sousanum)

🖤 Eve’s Necklace (Styphnolobium affine)

🌿 Texas Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana)

1. Yes, You Can Plant in the Summer!

2. Watering: Think Depth, Not Frequency

3. Mulch to Keep Roots Cool

4. Watch for More Bugs in Summer

5. Summer Vacays? Train Your Plant Sitter!

6. Collect Cool New Houseplants

1. Blue Pea Vine (Clitoria ternatea)

2. Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)

3. Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

4. Henry Duelberg Salvia (Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’)

5. Mystic Spires Salvia (Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’)

More Design Tips: Making the Blues Sing

1. Heat Stress: It’s Getting Hot in Here

2. City Water Blues: Chlorine Is Not Plant Food

3. Too Much A/C = Arctic Tundra Vibes

4. Mealybugs: The Cottony Party Crashers

5. Spider Mites: The Nearly Invisible Invaders

Give Your Houseplants a Summer Spa Day

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🌸 **Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)**

🌼 **Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)**

💛 **Retama (Parkinsonia aculeata)**

🌿 **Arroyo Sweetwood (Myrospermum sousanum)**

🖤 **Eve’s Necklace (Styphnolobium affine)**

🌿 Texas **Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana)**